Other than beer what should be in a pub?

[Conrad]

Just some idle thought having slightly derailed the beer token thread, I was just wondering what people thought was good in a pub (or not), off the top of my head some things.

Dartboard - never played so quite indifferent.

Bar billiards - think I have only seen this a couple of times in a pub, would be interested to learn it though.

Table football - Damn it! Why does everyone just resort to spinning them

Pool - used to play every week and a major reason for going to the pub when I was younger.

Pinball - I really enjoy pinball, and yet can't think of any pubs I know that still have a table, used to love playing it after a few lubricatory drinks. Would love to get a table if I ever end up with a house with enough space.

Jukebox - again, I quite enjoy a bit of music, but can't abide it when there is nowhere in the pub where you can be heard, should definitely be areas in any pub where you don't have to raise your voice.

Fruit machines - not really a fan, have been known to be briefly hypnotised by the flashing lights when drunk though.

Quiz machines - the actual quiz machines can be quite good fun with a good bunch of you crowded round proving how lacking in knowledge you are.

[ROBCamra]

Pinball - I really enjoy pinball, and yet can't think of any pubs I know that still have a table, used to love playing it after a few lubricatory drinks. Would love to get a table if I ever end up with a house with enough space.

Corbieres and TV21 in Manchester still have them.

Centurian in Newcastle still does as well.

Please can we have some more landlords?

[Conrad]

Bit far for me to travel, good to know they still exist though.

And what is wrong with managers?

[RogerB]

Some customers would be a good start!

[HTM69]

I love a good jukebox - and imo, there are times when they are essential to me. My Saturday night visits to the Nags Head (Rochester) just wouldn't be the same without a healthy dose of Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zep, The Clash and The Smiths.

[aleandhearty]

If I'm honest, I'm indifferent to most of them apart from quiz machines and juke boxes. Even then, I think the magic largely died with the passing of the vinyl playing behemoths. I remember that in the seventies a pub's reputation was greatly enhanced just by having a decent selection of music.

[Farway]

I am indifferent to all of them, plus the universal large screen TV showing mostly football. As I mentioned on another thread I was once a repairer of fruit machines & the like, I guess it is a bit like working in a chocolate factory, get sick of the product in the end

One thing I would add as required is food, now this could just be crisps or a 5* nosh.

On the food subject I noticed on my Cornwall trip that they all seem to have chocy bars. like Mars, Kit Kat etc for sale behind the bar, not something I have noticed round here. Is this common or I have just been asleep?

[rpadam]

A newspaper for customers to read is usually a good sign, and double points for the Morning Advertiser or The Publican. Better still, a supply of the local CAMRA branch newsletters.

[bzylzy]

Firstl and foremost GREAT BEER, a few books/newspapers,good consevation/snacks,good seating and good lighting plus +more GREAT BEER who needs anything else. Pool/Tele/darts OK if in another room and not the bar area. Not wanted is loud music,screaming kids

Just some idle thought having slightly derailed the beer token thread, I was just wondering what people thought was good in a pub (or not), off the top of my head some things.

Dartboard - never played so quite indifferent.

Bar billiards - think I have only seen this a couple of times in a pub, would be interested to learn it though.

Table football - Damn it! Why does everyone just resort to spinning them

Pool - used to play every week and a major reason for going to the pub when I was younger.

Pinball - I really enjoy pinball, and yet can't think of any pubs I know that still have a table, used to love playing it after a few lubricatory drinks. Would love to get a table if I ever end up with a house with enough space.

Jukebox - again, I quite enjoy a bit of music, but can't abide it when there is nowhere in the pub where you can be heard, should definitely be areas in any pub where you don't have to raise your voice.

Fruit machines - not really a fan, have been known to be briefly hypnotised by the flashing lights when drunk though.

Quiz machines - the actual quiz machines can be quite good fun with a good bunch of you crowded round proving how lacking in knowledge you are.

[arwkrite]

I must say Conrad after rereading your post as quoted by Bzylz your favourite pub does remind one of what the end of the pier at Weston super Mare was like before it got barbecued. Not a place for a restful beer. May be you did base it on the old pier, after all its not far from your neck of the woods.